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Shopping Malls in Punjab Asked to Install Air Purifiers

LAHORE: The Punjab Environment Department has ordered shopping malls in Punjab and commercial plazas across the province to install air purifiers to improve indoor air quality.

The department’s Director General, Imran Hamid Sheikh, issued a notification to tackle the harmful smog affecting cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala.

This move aims to provide cleaner air for visitors in indoor public spaces.

District authorities have been instructed to ensure compliance, especially in busy commercial areas, to reduce smog’s impact and improve air quality indoors.

The Punjab Environment Department, working with the district administration and police, has started a major operation in Lahore against vehicles that emit excessive smoke.

25 Arrested for Smog SOP Violations

Raids at bus terminals on Bund Road targeted vehicles releasing too much smoke. Tickets were issued, 24 vehicles were impounded, and emissions from passenger buses were inspected for environmental compliance.

Environmental Protection Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar stated that the crackdown will continue, with strict action against those violating environmental laws.

Anti-Smog Efforts by Punjab Police

The Punjab police have intensified actions against smog-related violations:

  • 104 FIRs registered and 25 arrests made in the last 24 hours.
  • Rs792,000 in fines issued to 424 violators, with 36 receiving final warnings.
  • Violations included:
    • 29 cases of crop residue burning
    • 325 smoke-emitting vehicles
    • 2 industrial activities
    • 18 brick kilns causing pollution

This year, police efforts include:

  • 2,095 arrests and 2,483 cases registered for smog violations.
  • Fines totaling Rs49.9 million issued to 21,466 violators, with 1,346 warnings.
  • Actions taken for:
    • 1,481 cases of crop burning
    • 18,476 smoke-emitting vehicles
    • 312 industrial violations
    • 890 brick kilns
    • 346 other pollution sources

In the last 24 hours:

  • 5,961 smoke-emitting vehicles fined
  • 741 vehicles impounded
  • 3 fitness certificates suspended

This year, over 736,351 vehicles have been fined, 157,599 impounded, and 10,019 fitness certificates suspended.

IG Dr. Usman Anwar has ordered an accelerated crackdown on smog violations across roads, industries, farms, and other areas.

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